*This is the eighth Part of Maggie’s Point of View of the latest scheme from Luna and Maggie.

If you’re trying to keep track, the first part was Newfound Depths by Luna,

The Second was Unusual Depths by Maggie.

The Third was Newfound Desires by Luna.

The Fourth was Unusual Desires by Maggie.

The fifth was Newfound Strength by Luna.

The sixth was Unusual Strength by Maggie.

The seventh was Newfound Determination by Luna.

The eighth was Unusual Determination by Maggie.

The ninth was Newfound Dangers by Luna

The tenth was Unusual Dangers by Maggie

The eleventh was Newfound Realities by Luna

The twelfth was Unusual Realities by Maggie

The thirteenth was Newfound Existence by Luna

The fourteenth was Unusual Existence by Maggie

The Fifteenth was Newfound Enemies by Luna.

Now comes Unusual Enemies by from this corner…notice a theme?

For anyone that is trying to catch up late in the game, all of the chapters can be found in the files section in the folder “Newfound and Unusual Series.”

My chapters can also be found on my website under “fiction” then “Unusual Series.” There is a bunch of background role-play stories that explain a lot of the past posted there too though I am still constantly updating it. The site is at: www.oocities.org/margaret_mary69 Oh there is a link to Luna’s sections from the Unusual Series as well as a link to her homepage from my Fiction page.

Disclaimer: Laurell K. Hamilton and the Berkley Publishing Group do not authorize this author. All characters that you recognize belong to Laurell K. Hamilton except for the ones created by the people in this group. This is solely for entertainment purposes.

Rating: PG-13 to be safe for some language

Thanks: To Luna for being an awesome beta, and great friend. I loved spending the holidays with your family! *hugs* Also thanks to anyone out there that takes the time to read my humble efforts. I appreciate it!

I hope you’re all enjoying reading this as much as we are writing it.

Hugs!
Maggie

Unusual Enemies

Haven had become a sort of organized chaos. Aries, James and Lydia had returned with Tara, Nadia and Jordan. They weren’t quite ready to put all their faith in my theory that Luna had skipped dimensions due to a spell gone wrong. Consequently, they were still following their own leads on what may have happened to my sister.

To be truthful, if it kept them from being constantly underfoot, I didn’t mind their self-imposed wild goose chase. Don’t get me wrong. I was glad to have company and help in dealing with whatever Jean Claude was going to send my way. I just didn’t know most of Luna’s crew that well and the unfamiliar always made me a bit nervous. Not to mention that they kept looking at me like I was going to pull Luna out of thin air for them at any moment. Well, I guess that was the idea I was trying to get across to them but it was a lot easier said than done.

Josh seemed to believe me. Of course, Josh had been on the receiving end of my anger induced telekinetic throwing fits more than once. He had more reason than the rest to believe magic might be involved where Luna and I were concerned. He was sticking close to the house and helping me try to keep track of who was doing what.

Raven hadn’t shown up yet and I hadn’t heard anything from Noah. After the incident with Jean Claude, I was a bit wary to try any more mind roaming until I was sure he couldn’t find another way in. Frankly, I was surprised that nobody had been out to the house looking for me yet. That thought led to others and before I knew it, Josh, Tara and I were searching the house for hidden cameras and microphones that might have been left behind.

I had just climbed down from checking the kitchen cabinets when I heard the phone ring. Everyone knew to let the machine pick up unless it was for them, so I went over to see who was calling. Seeing the caller ID display an international number I quickly snatched up the receiver hoping to hear the one voice still in this dimension that could calm my scattered nerves.

Smiling, I couldn’t keep the happy sigh out of my voice when I said hi back to my Druid. Josh rolled his eyes and barely made it out the door as I threw an empty plastic cup his way. I could hear him laughing down the hallway but I didn’t care. I was getting to talk to Elijah. It suddenly hit me how much my heart had been missing him and I realize I had still been blocking off his link along with all the others that I shut down when I panicked.

I smiled as I let the sound of his voice surround me, enveloping me in his warmth even with him so far away. I tried to keep the conversation light. I didn’t want him worrying about what was going on here. Hopefully blocking our link hadn’t made him too concerned. He sounded like he was a bit curious but let it go and played along.

“You gonna try your moves on someone new Goddess,” he teased.

“Naw, I much prefer my Tore, even if he is all the way in Ireland. Maybe if things settle down, I can come over for a visit.” I mused.

“Yeah. Ireland, you and me could be snuggling in front of a fireplace. Killian has a nice big fireplace in his workshop, one in the living room and one in the den. Man isn't afraid of fire.”

“Hmm... What place is least likely to having company walking in? I mean you already saw me blush after our stunt at Guilty Pleasures... We don’t need to put on any more shows.”

“Don't worry. He won't let anyone bother us.” I could hear the chuckle in my lover’s voice.

I blushed. He always had that effect on me. “Okay that's good to know. Ahem, so I don’t need to pack many clothes I suppose. Let's see… do I need to bring over my own food? I mean Killian doesn’t have to eat and I know how you weres scarf down everything in sight.”

“Killian eats. He's not like most vamps. He eats, drinks. He is part fey. He does have to have blood though. Hence me.” He explained it patiently but I could hear the frustration in his voice. We had been over this territory before and I knew Lija was frustrated that I had a hard time understanding his relationship to the Master of Dublin.

“Oh, Okay. Then I guess he'll have food. I won’t worry too much. He'll have food and you'll keep me warm.” I giggled then continued. “I'm very glad I’ll have you to keep me warm in fact. As for the blood, I knew you were closely connected to Killian, I could sense it because of our bond.

Now, I'm not saying I'm happy about it. He still scares me a little, though not as much as JC..”

“Killian wouldn't hurt you.” My druid interrupted almost defensively.

I sighed. “I know that, mostly. I just love you and want to be able to be with you. If you trust Killian, then I will try to too. We are still a team. I just wish things would settle down so I could get some time off to come see you.”

“I miss you Doc. I wish you were here.”

“I miss you too my Tore, more than words can say. The roses you sent were beautiful. Thank you for those.” I smiled remembering the beautiful roses I had received right before Luna’s stunt.

“You are very welcome. I remember how much you liked fresh flowers. I can't wait to give you some in person.”

“Yes I do love fresh flowers but just seeing you would be better than a hundred bouquets. Even with Killian, it would be better than here.” Sighing, I muttered, “At least I'm not at the lair and I don’t think JC will try forcing me to visit again.”

Belatedly, I remembered how sensitive Lija’s hearing was but it not soon enough. He was already asking, “What did you say? He forced you to visit! What aren't you telling me? Are you in trouble? Do I need to send someone to watch you or to kill the stupid French Fop?”

“Um... I'm okay now. Luna did some spell. She’s missing. It gave me some of her powers and enhanced mine though I'm still human...but I can smell, hear, throw things, like a were... I got upset and accidentally threw Jason into a wall. Jean Claude and Richard got a bit upset about that so they took me to the lair to have Dr Lillian examine me.”

“Examine you? To find what? Did they think you had a little were in there waiting to jump out and kill them all?” His voice rose a bit more with each question.

“I don’t think they knew what to think. Lija, calm down. I can hear you stressing over the phone.”

“Danu help us. I think they've all gone nuts and Luna who I trusted with your safety...I'll kill the cat.”

“Yeah, I guess JC was afraid of what I might do. I don’t know what all tests Lillian ran because I wasn't exactly conscious the first couple days I was there. As for Luna, you'll have to find her first. I don’t think she's on this plane. I tried to do a spell to bring her back and thought I had her but it all went wacky. Then JC's henchmen showed up and well....”

“You weren't conscious!” I winced at the anger in his tone.

“Not exactly... They drugged me with something when they grabbed me at the house.”

I heard him growl before he asked, “They got into the house? How did they get into the house?”

I knew my lover was upset but I didn’t know how to calm him from this distance without lying and he would know if I lied. Besides, I never lied to him. His trust was too important to me. “Lija, calm down already. I'm okay. Noah was out of town and I guess he got concerned when he couldn’t reach Luna or me… So he gave them the code. “ I winced waiting for his reaction.

I think he had pulled the phone away because I could hear him yelling but not nearly as loudly as I knew he was capable of. It was a few minutes before he said anything to me. “Is Luna's Army still there? Is Noah there?”

“They have been in and out. I think they're unsure what to do with Luna missing. They keep coming in looking at me like I'm going pull her out of a hat for them. Noah's hasn’t been by since I escaped. He did help me get out of the Lair though. He attacked JC when he found out what he had done to me.”

“For that, maybe I'll let him live. JC is another matter and as for Luna, maybe you should leave her lost. Let Noah take care of the Army and you come to me. It's the only way I'll know you're safe and Doc, don't block me out again.” His voice softened at the end though I could tell he was still angry.

I sighed. “I want to come to you with every fiber of my being Lija. My first thought when I got out of the Lair was to come running to you. All I wanted was the safety of your arms. I will let Noah help take care of the Army when he shows up but I have to do what I can to bring Luna back. I could kill her for whatever she's done to change me. She didn’t ask my permission to change my powers. All this increased sensory stuff is about to drive me nuts but she doesn’t deserve to be in some nameless hell dimension because of it either. I’m going to talk to Raven about getting her back. Then I will let you take me wherever you want me to be safe. The only reason I blocked you out was because I didn't want you to be dragged into this mess. If you get involved, JC could see it as an attack from Killian because of your relationship. You have to stay where you are, out of the fight, or things could spiral so far out of control the Council becomes involved. None of us want that. I won’t block you out again though. I felt so lost, alone, cold, without our link. “

I could hear him draw in deep breath through the phone or maybe I just felt it since I had reopened our link. “I understand Maggie. I just don't want you put in danger because of one of Luna's little stunts. You've told her over and over that the spells were dangerous. I'm sorry that I snapped. I just miss you so much but Killian needs me to stay here for now. I will send someone to change the security code on the house for you. Tell Noah that I hold him responsible for your safety and please be careful. I don't want to lose you.”

“ It's okay. I miss you too but I know you can't come home right now. I'll warn Noah. I will be careful. You aren't going to lose me. Near as I can figure out, the spell gave me a lot of lycan abilities except for shifting, strength, the senses thing, some healing abilities though I am reluctant to test those... I won’t do anything that would risk us not being able to be reunited.”

“Good and if you want to test those abilities Doc wait until we're together. Although I like you much better the way you are, I'll take you anyway you want.”

Grinning, I asked. “Oh really? You have some ideas of some things to test my.... recuperative abilities. “ I barely noticed that I purred as I continued. “It has been a while my Tore. Thanks Lija. I would rather be my normal self.... whatever that is, these days but I guess we'll deal with whatever fate and the presumptuous hellcat sends our way.”

He chuckled at my purr. “I suppose we will and the only thing I want you recuperating from is the morning after our first night back together. I may even let you tease a were.”

I could feel the heat rushing to my face even before I saw my beet red face reflected in the glass of the patio door. I started to reply when I heard the door move behind me. I could see Josh fighting back a chuckle and started to scold him. Fortunately for him, I noticed Raven standing behind him before I threw anything. Realizing I hadn’t replied to my druid, I shook my head and waved for the pair in the doorway to wait. “I’ll be looking forward to it my love. Raven is here. You be careful too and I’ll talk to you again soon. I love you forever and day.”

“Forever and a day Doc,” He breathed into the phone before the line disconnected. Hanging up the phone, I turned to greet my guest.

I headed toward Josh but Raven moved around him and pulled me into a tight hug. She whispered in my ear, “Pick your battles honey. We don’t want to waste any of that energy on friends.”

I pulled back from her embrace and nodded in agreement. “Welcome to Haven.” Looking over to Josh, I added, “Thanks for showing Raven in. I’m going to give her a tour of the house.” He smiled then left, apparently choosing not to test his luck by commenting on the phone call he walked in on.

I showed her around the downstairs, stopping to introduce her to the rest of Luna’s Army, at least the ones that weren’t out searching or patrolling the grounds. We stood talking to Tara for a few minutes before Raven came over and grabbed my arm. “Okay kid. You ready to show me where it happened?”

I nodded, apparently unable to keep the fear out of my eyes. “You always were a worrier.” She took my hand and started leading me upstairs before I could ask her what she meant. We reached the top of the stairs and she motioned for me to be silent. She walked the floor as if she was trying to measure something I couldn’t see. Within a few minutes she had worked her way over to the spare bedroom where we had done the spells.

She carefully opened the door and peaked inside. “Well, between the two of you, there is certainly a mess of cosmic proportions to clean up.” Shutting the door she turned to me. “Let’s head down to the living room and go over exactly what happened so I can figure out how you’re going to fix this spell.”

I looked at her shocked that she wasn’t going to take over the magic mumbo jumbo. She seemed to be reading my mind when she explained. “Yes it’s your psychic karma so it’s your task.” She squeezed my hand, “I’ll be here to help this time though.” She winked then headed down the stairs.

Shaking my head, I followed her. I just hoped I was as capable as she apparently thought I was or it was going to be a very bumpy ride.

Sitting down in the living room, I went over everything I had seen and heard one more time for Raven, with Luna’s Army gathered around in case there was anything they could add. I was a bit embarrassed because I hadn’t told them all the details of my failed spell. They didn’t need to hear about my spirit guide but Raven did. Hopefully they would understand why I had held that part back.

When I finished, Raven nodded as if she had been expecting what I told her. “You made a good start but you really do need to learn more discipline. Not thanking the corners or opening the circle properly could have done you great harm. You will need to be better prepared for the next spell you do.”

There was some discussion from the ranks about Raven doing the spell. She was the expert after all. She explained to them about it being my task and that it would be easier for me to reach Luna due to our connection. She gazed critically at me as she added, “Besides, I may have the training, but I wouldn’t bet that I was the more capable of the two of us, if you judge raw power.”

A voice from behind added, “I don’t think any of you would take that bet once you see this.” A tape was thrown on the couch next to me as I turned to look into Noah’s gold streaked green eyes. “Now I know why Jean Claude is closing ranks, ready to declare you a threat. I might too.”